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TOM
ZENK
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AWA debut
Tom
Zenk's debut in the AWA, 1984 - part 1
Tom
Zenk in the AWA, 1984 - part 2
Tom
Zenk in the AWA, 1985 - part 3
AWA debut - the images AWA
Contact Prints
AWA
Scrapbook
Debut
in AWA, 1984
Images
and press clips
AWA debut - the articles Introducing
Tom Zenk, 1984
How
Gagne put some flex into Tom Zenk's muscle-bound physique
AWA - the matches All Tom's AWA matches - early 1980's | late 1980s
Tom Zenk versus - AWA debut - souvenirs Souvenir AWA Program
Early Canada tours
8 x 10s - Canadian Championship Wrestling Tom
Zenk in Canada, 19845 - 5
Tom
Zenk in Manitoba
AWA - a brief return,
1988, 1989
Tom
Zenk returns to the AWA, 1988
Tom Zenk Speaks Out - CIJI Brianne/ original photos by Linda Boucher from Wrestling Fury Tom
Zenk - why he must win the world title
Zbyszko
Zenk
in AWA Tom
Zenk battles Larry Zbyszko in AWA battle royal 8 February 1988 - Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports Tom Zenk is signed to face Billy Robinson on the 02/04 show at the Minneapolis Auditorium, the last show at the arena before it is torn down, and Meltzer is surprised by that match, because independent promotions won't use Robinson because of his rep for shooting, and that he could easily shoot with Zenk..... An AWA album will be coming out soon, featuring Greg Gagne, Baron Von Raschke, Wahoo McDaniel, Jerry Blackwell, Tommy Rich, Dick Slater, Jerry Lawler, Jeff Jarrett, the Midnight Rockers and Tom Zenk. The album is being recorded in Atlanta. Blackwell, Rich and Slater were there because the Gagnes helped them get an insurance break for their new promotion. Lawler and Jarrett were there because there is planned to be more talent swapping between both territories in the future. In fact, Curt Hennig is scheduled to work a heavy schedule for CWA because the AWA is no longer running a full schedule. 15 February 1988 - Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the final card at the Minneapolis Auditorium happened on 02/04 before a low turnout of 1,700 fans. They were hyping it as Nostalgia Night, and the WWF countered by running "Mad Dog Vachon Night" in the same market the following week, and even ended up bringing in old AWA stars for their show like The Crusher, Nick Bockwinkel and Blackjack Lanza. Verne had Red Bastien, Killer Kowalski, Carl Eller (never wrestled, but was a member of the Minnesota Vikings Purple People Eaters front four in the early 70s), Butch Levy, Leo Nomellini, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Dick the Bruiser (who wrestled), Billy Robinson and perennial jobber Kenny "Sodbuster" Jay, who actually got the biggest pop. Verne Gagne and Stanley Blackburn were in attendance as well.Meltzer says Zenk/Robinson stood out in the wrong way, because Zenk is the only potential contender they have for Hennig, and a 50-year old guy took him to a 20-minute draw. He also controlled the entire match, which was in slow motion and Zenk had no opportunity to do anything to get himself over. The AWA now doesn't have a venue lined out for the Twin Cities. -- Kelly Kiniski quit. He was unhappy with his $170 weekly check and went back to Canada. -- Nord the Barbarian quit. He's hugely over in the AWA because of his car commercials, but Verne never wanted to push him because he didn't think he could last. 22 February 1988 - Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Tom Zenk quit the same day he was to do an angle with Curt Hennig at a TV taping, because he wanted a guarantee. He also didn't understand the logic of doing a time limit draw with Billy Robinson before feuding with Hennig. -- The Nasty Boys have been let go. -- In addition to Curt Hennig, Kevin Kelly and Madusa Miceli are also on guarantees. Hennig's is $1,500 per week and Kelly and Miceli's is less than $300 per week. Interviews Rare interview with Mick Karsh, "Saturday Night at Ringside" Channel 23 Minneapolis, 30 July 1988 - a little over a year after the Can-Am Split. Larry
Nelson - AWA commentator - extracts from his biography
Zenk
proves to be Wrestling's High Plains Drifter
Images Tom
Zenk Pro-wrestling Scrapbook for 1988-9 Segue to the NWA, 1989 Z-Man
settles in the NWA
Tom
Zenk moves to the NWA, WCW
Back
to the NWA
AWA debut - the video tape collection The
Tom Zenk Collection - Volumes 1 and 2
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Zenk .....
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